45 - Tackling the Ticketing Crisis: Innovations to Stop Bots and Serve Real Fans
How Fanfare Uses AI to Create Fair, Scalable, and Bot-Resistant Fan Experiences
In this episode of the AI & Data Driven Leadership Podcast, host Dean Guida interviews Michael Dodsworth, Founder & CEO of Fanfare.io, to explore how AI, behavioral analytics, and scalable architecture are transforming ticketing, retail drops, and high-demand digital experiences. Michael shares why traditional systems often fail under pressure and explains how Fanfare is building a more fair, transparent, and resilient model for fans and brands navigating massive spikes in demand.
How AI Is Transforming Digital Drops and Fan Engagement
High-demand releases—such as concert tickets, sneaker drops, and exclusive merchandise—often break under pressure due to outdated systems, bot activity, and limited fan identification tools. Michael explains how Fanfare solves these challenges with layered behavioral analysis, progressive verification, and smart queueing that prioritizes genuine fans while reducing friction during peak demand.
AI also plays a critical role in countering increasingly advanced bot activity. Today’s bots mimic human interactions so effectively that legacy defenses like CAPTCHAs fail frequently. Fanfare’s adaptive machine learning models analyze real-time behaviors, device signals, and interaction patterns to differentiate humans from automated systems, helping brands safeguard fairness and protect their most loyal audiences.
Beyond security, AI streamlines marketing and operational workflows for product and brand teams. With generative tools, companies can rapidly create launch pages, visuals, and digital experiences using simple prompts—accelerating campaign execution while reducing the need for heavy engineering support, especially during large-scale events.
About Michael Dodsworth
Michael Dodsworth is the Founder & CEO of Fanfare.io and a leader in AI-driven fan identification, queue management, and scalable system design. His work centers on ensuring fairness, transparency, and performance during high-demand digital events and product releases.
About Fanfare.io
Fanfare.io is an AI-powered platform built to deliver fair, bot-resistant, and high-performance experiences for major ticketing events and limited-edition product drops. Through behavioral analytics, adaptive verification, and intelligent queueing, Fanfare gives real fans priority access while helping brands handle massive traffic surges with confidence.
Links Mentioned in This Episode
Key Episode Highlights
AI-powered behavioral analysis that identifies genuine fans
Transparency and fairness as essential components of modern digital drops
How scalable engineering supports massive real-time demand
Generative AI as a tool to accelerate marketing and launch workflows
Why legacy systems fail during high-volume events
Conclusion
This episode provides an in-depth look at how AI, modern engineering, and data-driven fairness are redefining the future of digital retail and fan engagement. Michael Dodsworth offers practical insights for leaders seeking to reduce friction, protect their audiences, and deliver seamless high-demand experiences at global scale.
Explore Slingshotapp.io to learn more about AI-driven leadership solutions, and if you’re a qualified leader interested in sharing your insights, apply to be a guest on the AI & Data Driven Leadership Podcast here.
